Syria Conflict Has Killed As Least 60,000 People, According To UN

At least 60,000 have been killed during Syria's brutal conflict, a "truly shocking" number, the United Nations said on Wednesday

UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said the figures, based on an analysis, were "much higher" than anticipated.

"Given there has been no let-up in the conflict since the end of November, we can assume that more than 60,000 people have been killed by the beginning of 2013.

At least 60,000 have been killed during the Syria conflict, the UN said

"The number of casualties is much higher than we expected, and is truly shocking," she said.

Pillay's spokesperson Rupert Colville told the Associated Press the death toll was likely to be even higher, saying: "There are many names not on the list for people who were quietly shot in in the woods...

"Collectively, we have fiddled at the edges while Syria burns."

The UN's analysis shows the numbers killed every month were steadily increasing.

In March 2011, what had been a peaceful protest against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad turned into a bloody conflict.

The country has since descend into civil war, with the Syrian Network for Human Rights saying there had been 115 deaths across Syria on Wednesday, including 13 children, 5 women, and 23 killed under torture.

Lt Gen Abulaziz al-Shalal announced his decision speaking in a video released on YouTube.

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A Syrian boy who fled with his family from the violence in their village, cries as he waits to fill water at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian baby cries as he lays on a swing attached to a tree at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian boy who fled with his family from the violence in their village, stands next to a tent at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian boy who fled with his family from the violence in their village, carries water bottles at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian girl who fled with her family from the violence in their village, rests at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian girl who fled with her family from the violence in their village, washes clothes at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian girl who fled with her family from the violence in their village, washes clothes at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian boy who fled with his family from the violence in their village, sits on a swing at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria. Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

Syrian girls who fled from the violence in their village, wash their clothes at a displaced camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

Tow Syrian girls who fled with their family from the violence in their village, sit in front of a fire next to their tent at a camp, in the Syrian village of Atma, near the Turkish border with Syria, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)

A Syrian boy holds remains of a mortar and shells which are allegedly fired by Syrian Army as mourners carry the coffin of 13-year-old Ahmad bin Muhsin Qarush during his funeral on March 24, 2012 who was reportedly killed two days earlier in shelling by regime forces in the northwestern city of Sermin. (Ricardo Garcia Vilanova/AFP/Getty Images)